Quiz: Do you know how to install a home security system?

You've decided to improve your home's safety with a security system. It's a great investment, but you don't want to also pay for installation. An experienced do-it-yourself-er should have no problem with this project, but take our quiz first to see how secure you are with installing a home security system on your own.

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Question 1 of 20

What is the main benefit of using a battery-operated alarm system?

They are inexpensive.

They work even during a power outage.

One of the best things about a battery-operated alarm system is that it works during a power outage.

They require the least amount of maintenance.

Question 2 of 20

What is the most critical maintenance requirement of a battery-operated alarm system?

The wiring must be cleaned regularly.

The system must be rewired annually.

The batteries must be replaced regularly.

Just like with smoke detectors, you have to replace your system's batteries regularly.

Question 3 of 20

A magnet switch alarm system is an example of what type of electrical systems?

open circuit

closed-circuit

Magnet switch alarms are triggered when the circuit, which is normally closed at all trigger points, is opened. Such mechanisms are known as closed-circuit systems.

multidirectional circuit

Question 4 of 20

What is the purpose of the magnetic component of a magnet switch device?

to conduct electricity

to keep the door or window locked

to keep the metal switch in place

Each magnet switch has a magnet in one box and a metal switch in the other box. When the two are within range, the magnet keeps the switch (and therefore the circuit) closed. The moment they separate -- for example, if the door is opened -- the circuit breaks, and the alarm sounds.

Question 5 of 20

Once the alarm has been tripped, how do you silence it?

You must shut whichever door or window you opened.

You must reset the alarm with a key.

Opening a door or window will break the circuit and trigger the alarm, but closing the same won't shut the circuit. Once it's been triggered, the only way to shut off the alarm is to reset it with the key or code.

You must destroy the sounding mechanism.

Question 6 of 20

The first step in installing the alarm system is to install what?

the sounding mechanism

You should first install your alarm's sounding mechanism because the rest of the wiring will all lead back to it.

the magnets

the switch boxes

Question 7 of 20

To which section of a door should the magnet be attached?

the door itself

You will attach the magnet box to the door itself and the switch box to the door frame, so that when the door is closed the two boxes line up.

the door frame

the door knob

Question 8 of 20

Fire sensors should be set to respond at what temperature?

100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius)

130 degrees Fahrenheit (54 degrees Celsius)

You can attach fire sensors to your magnet switches so that your security alarm doubles as a fire alarm. The sensors should be set to 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54 degrees Celsius), as that is much hotter than a room should normally get.

160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius)

Question 9 of 20

If you want to secure areas of the house that are usually very hot, to what temperature should the sensors be set?

190 degrees Fahrenheit (88 degrees Celsius)

There some area of a house that regularly get quite hot -- attics and kitchens, for example. The sensors you use for these rooms should be set to 190 degrees Fahrenheit (88 degrees Celsius).

212 degrees Fahrenheit (99 degrees Celsius)

225 degrees Fahrenheit (107 degrees Celsius)

Question 10 of 20

Which type of tape can you use to cause the alarm to sound if someone breaks one of the windows in your home?

duct tape

conductive foil tape

You can affix conductive-foil tape to your windows, which converts them into trigger points for the alarm's circuit.

electrical tape

Question 11 of 20

If you are going to mount the sounding mechanism outdoors, you should make sure it has which of these?

weather-resistant and tamperproof case

The sounding mechanism should be tamper proof. If you're going to install one outside, make sure it is in a protective case. This case should also protect it from the weather.

façade that matches the rest of the exterior

remote control

Question 12 of 20

What's wrong with installing the sounding mechanism in a closet or other confined space?

You might not be able to hear the alarm.

You want to make sure the alarm is audible, which it won't be inside a closet stuffed with clothing.

It will be very inconvenient to turn off the alarm.

The electric system might cause clothing to catch fire.

Question 13 of 20

When wiring the alarm, how much exposed wiring should you work with?

0.75 inches (1.9 centimeters)

You'll need about 0.75 inches (1.9 centimeters) of exposed wiring to loop around certain grounding points. Do not expose more than that, as it can become a hazard.

1.5 inches (3.75 centimeters)

3 inches (7.5 centimeters)

Question 14 of 20

When you wire the battery to the sounding mechanism, what color wire should you use for the positive charge?

black

red

It is standard to use red electrical wires for a positive charge and black wires for a negative charge.

green

Question 15 of 20

What type of battery will you like be using for your security system?

6-volt

The word battery conjures up images of a small round cylinder about the size of a human finger, but the battery you will be using for your alarm system is a 6-volt rechargeable battery that is larger than your hand -- more like a car battery.

9-volt

12-volt

Question 16 of 20

The circuit that runs to and through every switch will be what color?

silver

copper

The copper-colored wire is used to run the entire circuit, while the silver wire is used as an uninterrupted return.

green

Question 17 of 20

If you've finished installing the system, turned the key to on, and the alarm sounds, what should you do?

Tear out the entire system and install a new system from scratch.

Check to see that all trigger points are closed and that all magnet boxes are within range of their switch boxes.

The alarm will only sound after you turn the key to the on position if one of the trigger points is open. Check to see that all windows and door are closed and that all magnet switches are close enough to their switch boxes to keep the switches in place.

Turn the key to off; you've finished installing the system.

Question 18 of 20

About how often should you test your alarm system?

once a week

It's advised that you test your system, albeit briefly, about once a week.

once a month

once a year

Question 19 of 20

The standby current for the entry detection switch circuit is approximately how much?

1/10 of an amp

1/100 of an amp

1/1000 of an amp

It only takes 1/1000 of an amp to keep a switch circuit on standby, which means it's not going to deplete the battery life very quickly.

Question 20 of 20

One way to improve your security is to add which of these?

Buy a mean guard dog.

Attach some lights and a radio to various timers.

Besides your alarm system, it's a good idea to have your lights, and perhaps a radio, connected to timers that turn them on and off. With them, your home will always seem occupied.